Method of and apparatus for pouncing hats



March 14-, 1944. -p C L Z; 2,344,419

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR POUNCING HATS Filed May 29, 1941 5 Sheets Sheet l INVENTOR AUL SCI-{UL TZE.

March 14, 1944. P, SCHULTZE METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR POUNCING HATS Filed May 29, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR PAUL. 50/047215 BYBQaIn GmJiss-W ATTORNEYS March 14, 1944.. p g u -rzz 2,344,419

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR POUNCING HATS Filed May 29, 194; 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR PA UL ScHuL-TzE ATTORNEY S March 14, 1944. SCHULTZE 2,344,419

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR POUNCING' HATS Filed May 29, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 J 5/ J 4a 4! m 47 50 J 44 J I 49 m a 52 a; i 40 39 J 42 37 I... 5 33 I I 35' R .H .l 34

INVENTOR A4u4 Sam/4 7-25 BY 311m. links m m ATTORNEYS March 14, 1944. P. SCHULTZE METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR POUNCING HATS Filed May- 29, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 lNVENTOR PAUL SCHUL 7 25 BYBki/ Bmis *Wmd ATTORNEYS Patented Mar. 14, 1944 METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR POUNCING HATS Paul Schultze, Danbury, Conn., assignor to Doran Brothers, Incorporated, Danbury, Conn.

Application May 29, 1941, Serial No. 395,885

24 Claims.

This invention relates to a method of and a machine for pouncing hat bodies.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a machine for finishing hat bodies which is simple in construction, efficient in operation, and sturdy and durable under conditions of rigorous use. Another object is to provide a machine of the above nature which is substantially automatic in operation, and wherein the drive feed rate and control are efiected hydraulically. Another object is to provide a machine of the above nature wherein the pouncing of the crown and brim of the hat may be completed in a single continuous operation without damage to any portion of the hat. Other objects will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, arrangements of parts and in the several steps and relation and order of each of the same to one or more of the others, all as will be illustratively described herein, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the drawings, wherein I have shown one embodiment of my invention,

Figure 1 is an elevation of one side of my machine;

Figure 2 is a horizontal section taken along the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary horizontal section, similar to Figure 2, but showing certain of the parts in a different operative position;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary horizontal section, similar to Figure 2, but showing the operating parts in still another operative position;

Figure 5 is an enlarged horizontal section taken along the line 55 of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section showing the manner in which the lower portion of the tool assembly is mounted on the base of the machine;

Figure '7 is an enlarged fragmentary front elevation showing aportlon of the pouncing tool in operative engagement with the side of the hat and aportion of the brim thereof;

Figure 7A is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation showing a portion of the pouncing tool engaging a portion of the crown and brim of the hat; and,

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic elevation showing the hydraulic system.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings. r

In general, and with reference to Figure 1, my

pouncing machine comprises a'column generally indicated at I0 formed by a base section II, a motor housing I2, and a head I3. A shaft is'journaled in head l3 and has secured to one end thereof a chuck generally indicated at M, which carries a hat block IE on which a hat Iii-may be mounted. On the other end of the shaft in head I3 is a driven pulley I! connected by means of a belt l8 to a driving pulley I9 associated with a clutch generally indicated at 20. Clutch 20 is driven by a motor 2| mounted in housing [2 and thus shaft l3 may be driven to rotate hat block [5. Motor 2! also drives an oil pump 22 by means of pulleys 23 and 24 and belt 25, the oil pump preferably being mounted in the upper part of base ll of column l0.

Rotatably mounted on a bracket generally indicated at 26 (Figure 1) secured to and extending from base section II is a pouncing tool assembly generally indicated at 21, which is movable about and toward and away from hat block I5 through mechanisms to be described hereinafter. Pouncing tool assembly 2'! includes a pouncing tool generally indicated at 200 and a driving mechanism therefor, a will also be described in detail hereinbelow.

Oil pump 22 (Figure 1) supplies oil under pressure to a hydraulic piston 28a (Figure 8) reciprocably disposed in a cylinder 28 (see also Figure 5) secured to the lower part of section [1 (Figure 1) of the machine column. As shown in Figure 5, a piston rod 29 extends through a gland 36 on cylinder 28 and has connected thereto a rack 3| supported by a guide 32 secured to bracket 26. Pouncing tool assembly 2'! (Figure 6 is mounted on a heavy hollow post 33 which is rotatably journaled, as will be more particularly described hereinbelow, in a housing 34 or the like which may be an integral part of bracket 26 or connected thereto in any suitable manner. Preferably post 33 includes an annular shoulder 35 which has gear teeth out therein which mesh with an idler gear 36 (Figure 5) in turn meshing with the teeth on rack 3|. Thus, reciprocation of rack 3| causes rotation of post 33 (Figure 6) and accordingly rotation of pouncing tool as sembly 27 about the axis of post 33. For a more,

detailed disclosure and description of these parts, reference is made to my United States Patent No. 2,105,130. I

As shown in Figure 6, post 33 is carried by ball bearings 31 and 38 mounted respectively in the upper and lower ends of housing 36. The upper end of post 33 has integrally formed therewith a, hollow arm 39 which extends at right angles to the post. The outer end of arm 39 forms a housing 40 having a vertical axis and suitable upper and lower shoulders for the reception of ball bearings 4| and 42, respectively. These ball bearings 4| and 42 rotatably carry a hollow post 43, the bottom portion of which is provided with a plurality of ports 44 which permit communication between post 43 and hollow arm 39. The lower end of post 43 is sealed as by a plug 45. Formed integrally with and extending at right angles from the upper end of post 43 is a hollow arm 46, the free end of which forms a housing 41 carrying in its upper and lower portions ball bearings 48 and 49, respectively. These ball bearings rotatably mount a hollow post 50, the lower portion of which is provided with ports .5I which permit communication between this post and hollow arm 46. As in the case of post 43, the lower end of post 50 is sealed by a plug 52. It may now be seen that post 50 is rotatable relative to arm 46, which, in turn, is rotatable relative to post 33; post 50 accordingly also is rotatable relative not only to post 33, but also to bracket housing 34. Post 50 forms the bottom support of tool assembly 21, and itaccordingly follows that the tool assembly is capable of free pivotal movement about the axis of post as well as traversing movement about hat block l5 (Figure 1). It should also be noted that posts 33, 43 and 50, as well as hollow arms 39 and 46, are all in communication so as to provide in effect the lower end of an exhaust conduit, the purpose and operation of which will be described hereinafter. As shown in Figure 1,the lower end of this exhaust conduit connects with an elbow 53 which, in turn, is connected to an exhaust pipe 54, elbow 53 preferably being provided with a removable clean-out plate 55.

"Pouncing tool assembl 2.! (Figures 1 and 6) includes a lower housing 56 (Figure 6) within which an annular channel '57 is formed by an inner circular motor support 58. A, pouncing tool operating motor 59 (Figure 1) is carried by support 58 (Figure 6) and has secured to one end of its armature (not shown) a pulley (not shown) which drives a belt 6'3 (Figure 1) which operates pouncing tool 200 as will be described. Tool assembly 2'! also includes a tool housing generally indicated at 6i, the lower portion of which is in the form of a hollow casting 62 (Figure 6) bolted or otherwise secured to the top of housing 56. Housing 62 accordingly communicates with conduit 51 in housing 56.

Tool housing 6! (Figure 1) is triangular in shape and is preferabl integrally formed with lower casting 62. Three rollers 64, 65 and 66 are rotatably mounted in the upper, side and lower corners of housing 64 and have trained thereabout a sandpaper belt 3! which pounces hat l6 upon engagement therewith. The tension of belt 61 is adjustable through manipulation of adjusting mechanism generally indicated at 68 associated with upper roller 64. Lower roller 63 is mounted on an axle or spindle 69, the outer end ,of which carries a pulley (not shown) about which driving belt 6!) is trained. Hence, upon operation of motor 58, roller 66 is driven to operate pouncing belt 61.

Tool housing 6i is provided with upper and lower open portions Hi and l! to accommodate passage of belt 61 out of and into the housing. Lower opening 1! terminates at a point 72 so that material abraded from hat 5| may be drawn with the belt into housing 6|, thence into casting 62, and thence into conduit 51 (Figure 6) from which the abraded material passes through the exhaust conduit formed by posts 53, 43 and 33.

As pointed out above, tool housing BI is substantially triangular in shape and accordingly includes a base 13 and sides 14 and 15. The angle between sides 14 and 15 is preferably as large as possible so as not to reduce any more than necessary the contact between belt 61 and pulleys 64 and 66, as such reduction in contact between the belt and pulleys reduces the driving efiiciency of pulley 66 and causes difliculties in maintaining the belt on the pulleys. The degree of the angle between housing sides 74 and 15 is, however, determined as to its maximum by the contour of the hat brim as the pouncing tool passes thereover (see Figure 7) as will be described more (full hereinbelow.

It will now appear that through the capacity of cylinder 28 (Figure 5) to-driv'e rack 3|, and by reason of the toggle joint formed, in-eifect, by arms 39 and 46 (Figure 6), and by reason of the driving mechanism for sandpaper belt 61 (Figure 1) the pouncing tool 200 is operable over the surface of hat l6. In general, this traversing operation of the pouncing tool is similar to that more particularl described in my United States Patent No. 2,137,250, to which, accordingly, reference is made for a more detailed description of the hydraulic and mechanical devices which not only effect the movement of the pouncing tool about the hat, but which also automatically control the feed rate of the tool about the hat. Hence, it will suffice to point out here that the pouncin tool is automatically advanced from what might be termed a loading station (see Figure 2), spaced from the hat block on one side thereof to a point adjacent the tip of the hat crown (see Figure 3) where the tool engages the hat. Thereafter the tool traverses the crown of the hat (see Figure 4) and returns to the point (Figure 3) at which it initially engaged the hat, from which point the tool is rapidly returned to the loading station (Figure 2), all of these operations being carried out automatically, as described in both of my aforesaid patents, and particularly Patent No. 2,137,250.

t should be noted that the axis of pouncing tool assembly 21 (Figures ll) is always vertical, regardless of the operative position of pouncing tool 236, by reason of the mounting of the tool assembly on the outer end of the toggle joint formed by arms 39 and 46. Accordingly, the

, travel of the tool assembly and tool is not limited to any prescribed path of movement, but is flexible in this respect so that hat bodies of Varying and substantial depth can readily be operated on.

As the pouncing tool engages the hat during its traversing movement thereover, the pressure of the tool against the hat must be varied in accordance with the difierent positions of the tool on the hat as it passes thereover, in order that the finish given the hat be uniform. This variation in pressure is preferably timed in accordance with the variation in feed rate of the tool, as pointed out in my aforesaid patents, and in this connection I have found that where the pressure variations are eifected by hydraulically controlled mechanism, superior results are obtained. To this end, and with reference to Figures 1-4, I have provided a cylinder 16 (Figure 1) within which a piston 16a (Figure 8) is reciprocable in accordance with the variation of oil pressure therewithin. This piston has a rod 11 (Figure 2) attached thereto which extends from cylinder I6 through a packing gland I8, and has attached to one end thereof a flexible cable I9. This cable, as is more clearly shown .in Figure 2, is trained around a pair of pulleys 88 and 8I, rotatably mounted on suitable brackets secured to and extending from section II of machine column I8 and bracket 26, respectively. The other end of cable I9 is secured to a, lug 82, extending from the outer end of arm 46 so'that when the pouncing tool assembly 21 is in the positions shown in Figures 3 and 4, cable I9 is drawn toward and then around a third pulley 388 so that movement of piston rod 11 to theleft, as viewed in these figures, pulls the pouncing tool assembly toward hat block I5, causing the pouncing tool to engage the hat with a definite, predetermined and variable pressure. It should be noted that pulley 388 is rotatably mounted on a stud I85 secured to and extending upwardly from the top of post 39;

The natural tendency of the pouncing tool is to move away from the hat, and accordingly the force exerted by cable I9 in pulling the tool against the hat is always resisted to a certain deree by the tools tendency to move away from the hat, but as this tendency of the tool is only slight,

the tool does not tend to bounce away from the hat during its travel thereover, as was often the case in prior machines of this character which relied on unbalanced spring and cam mechanisms for controlling and varying the pressure of the tool on the hat.

As hereinbefore noted, it is desirable that the pressure of the tool against the hat be varied as the tool traverses different portions of the hat. Accordingly I have provided a cam 83 (Figures 1-3) which, as is more clearly shown in Figure 6, is secured to the top of post 33 so as to rotate therewith. A cam follower 84 (Figure 3) is rotatably mounted on one end of a lever 85, extending'from a hub 86 pivotally'c'onnected to a stud 81 mounted-in a boss 88 (Figure 1) secured to section II of the machine column by a suitable bracket (not shown).

Referring back to Figure 2, a lever 89 is secured to the upper end of stud 81 so that movementimparted to lever 85 as follower 84 rolls over cam 83, is transmitted to lever 89. The free end of lever 89 is provided with a bifurcation 98 within which, as shown in Figure 1, is pivotally secured one end of a link 9|. The other end of link 8| is adjustably secured to the slotted end 92 of a lever 93 pivotally mounted as at 94 on column I8 of the machine. It will now appear that movement of lever 89 is transmitted through link 9| to lever 93 so that the free end 95 thereof is moved up or down. Furthermore, this up or down movement of lever end 95 may be increased or decreased in accordance with the adjusted position of the left-hand end of lever 9| (as viewed in Figure 1) in the slot 92a in lever end Lever'end 95 is operatively connected to the upper end of a valve plunger 96, which is re ciprocably mounted within a conventional pres: sure regulating valve 91, the outlet chamber of which is connected to cylinder I6 by a pipe 98. If desired, pipe 98 may have connected thereto a pressure gauge 99. Valve 91 accordingly automatically controls the flow of oil into cylinder 18 and therefore controls the pressure exerted on the piston within this cylinder.

.As is shown in Figure 8, oil pump 22 is connected by way of a pipe I88 to pressure regulatfrom bracket 26 (see Figure 1).

ing valve 91 which, as noted above, is connected to cylinder I6 by pipe 98. Oil flows out of cylinder I6 through a manually adjustable metering valve I8I into a pipe I82 which returns the oil to a reservoir in section II of machine column I8. It will now appear that as the oil pressure in cylinder I6 varies in accordance with the automatic adjustment of valve plunger 96 by movement of lever end 95, the iston 16a in cylinder I6 is moved in one direction or the other, and this movement is imparted to piston rod 11, and accordingly cable I9 (Figure 1) to vary the pressure of the pouncing tool against the hat. Thus, assuming that cam 83 is contoured in accordance with the desired pressures, the pressure of the pouncin tool against the hat at any portion during its traversing movement thereover may be of a predetermined, desired value. noted that cylinder I6 (Figure 1) is preferably provided with a vent I83 communicating with that portion of the cylinder to the right of piston 16a, as viewed in Figure 8, so that there will be no restriction on the movement of the piston.

As shown in Figure 2, pouncing tool assembly 21 is at the loading station, i. e., the assembly is well spaced to one side of the hat block I5, whereas in Figure 3, the pouncing tool assembly is shown in the position wherein the pouncing tool first engages or leaves the tip of the hat. Figure 4 shows the pouncing tool assembly 21 at the end of its forward travel. As the pouncing tool assembly travels from the position shown in Figure 3 to the position shown in Figure 4, and back again, the hydraulic control previously described maintains the pouncing tool against the hat at predetermined pressures. However, on the return stroke of the pouncing tool assembly, it must be moved from the position shown in Figure 3 to that shown in Figure 2, and to that end I provide the mechanism now to be described.

As shown in Figure 2, arm 46 has bolted thereto a gear sector I84, which accordingly moves with the arm. As noted above, the main swinging arm 39 carries stud I on which a gear sector I86 is loosely mounted, this latter sector meshing with gear sector I84. Gear sector I86 includes a hub I8I, to which is bolted a bar I88, the free end of which swings toward and away from a post I89, which is secured to and extends upwardly On the upper end of this post is adjustably mounted an eccentric head II 8 which may be secured in any desired position by means of a nut III threaded on the reduced end II2 of stud I89. When the pouncing tool assembly 21 is in pouncing position at the tip or the side crown of the hat, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the gear sectors I84 and I86 do not interfere with the free movement of arms 39 and 46 relative to each other, as gear sector I86 is loosely mounted, as described. However, as the pouncing tool assembly 21 during its return travel from its position shown in Figure 4, moves to the position shown in Figure-3, bar I88 on loose gear sector I86 gradually approaches eccentric head II8. When bar I88 engages head II8 during this counterclockwise movement of main swinging arm 39, as viewed in Figure 3, furthermovement of gear sector I86 is impossible. Hence, further counterclockwise movement of main swinging arm 39 causes gear sector I84 and arm 46 to rotate about their axes, 'i. e.; the pivotal axis of arm 46. This rotative movement of gear sector I84 and arm 46 causes pouncing tool assembly 21 to move away from the hat body to the position shown in Figure 2. It

It might be might be added that this return movement to what has been termed the loading station is effected at'a rapid rate through an automatic .I is under positive automatic control which, to-

gether with the automatic pressure control afforded through the mechanism incorporating hydraulic cylinder I6, assures a uniform finish on the hat being pounced. It should also be noted that through the provision of swinging arms 39 and 46, the axis of pouncing tool assembly 2'! is always vertical, regardless of the'movement of the tool assembly toward and away from orabout .hat block I5.

Aspointed out in my copending application, Serial No. 226,442, filed August 24, 1938, it is desirable that the pouncing of the crown of the hat and the brim thereof be carried out in one continuous operation so as to obviate the use of separate machines for crown and brim pouncing, and the consequent loss of time in transferring the hat from one machine to another. Furthermore, the continuous pouncing operation imparts a uniform finish to both the crown and brim of the hat, as the conditions under which each is pounced are identical. One aspect of my invention described herein is accordingly directed to an improvement of the mechanism disclosed and described in my aforesaid copending application. This improved mechanism will now be described.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, main swinging arm 39 has secured thereto a cam H3, which rotates with the arm. The surface of this cam enga'gesa follower H4 carried on one end H5 (Figure 1) of a bell crank generally indicated at ,IIG, which is pivoted to the upper end of a bracket HI, the lower end of which is suitably secured to bracket 25. The other end H8 of bell .crank H6 is pivotally connected to the lower .end of an elongated rod I I9, which extends vertically along the side of column I0 and passes through a guide and support bracket I20 secured .to and extending from the upper end of column I9. engages the under side of an arm I2 I, the righthand end of which is secured to a hub I22, pivotally mounted on a shaft I23 (see also Figure .1). which is supported by a pair of brackets I24 secured to and extending upwardly from head I3. On the outer or right-hand end of shaft I23, as viewed in Figure 7A, is coiled a spring I 24, one end of this. spring being secured to the shaft, and the'other'end being secured to hub I22 so th'atarm I2I (Figure 7) is given a counterclockwise, bias. 7

Still referring to Figure 7, arm I2I has secured thereto a brim depressor I25 which, when in-the full line position, engages brim IBa of hat i6 and flattens out the brim in the vicinity of thepath of travel of pouncing tool 290 so that as sandpaper belt 61 is pressed against the hat by roller 65, the hat brim is flattened and is accordingly not rumpled or creased or cut from the pressure of the pouncing tool thereagainst. As hereinbefore noted, the angle between sides The upper end of rod H9 (see Figure 7) "I4 and of pouncing tool housing BI should be as large as possible, and the degree of-this angle is accordingly determined by the angle (which should be as large as possible) between portions I61) and IE0 of bat brim I6a when the hat brim is depressed by depressor I25.

It is desirable that brim depressor I25 be in its brim depressing or solid line position, as shown in Figure '7, for as short-a time as possible, so as to avoid unduly .mellowing the hat brim, and to this end cam H3 (Figure 2) is contoured. In this connection, itmight be noted that hat brims are often treated with a stiffening substance, such as shellac, for example, and. if the brim is manipulated excessively during the pouncing operation the brim is softened or mellowed. Thus, when the pouncing tool approaches the point indicatedat A on hat I6 (Figure 1) high point H3a (Figure 2) of cam H3, is adjacent follower H4. As high point H3a, passes the follower, the contour of cam H3 rapidly drops to its smallest diameter H3b, with the result that counterclockwise movement of hell crank I I6 occurs by reason of downward movement of rod I I9 under the bias ofspring I24 operating through arm I2I. This downward movement of rod I I9 permits brim depressor I25 to move to its brim depressing position, shown in Figur '7, in which position the depressor remains during the forward and reverse travel of the pouncing tool over that portion of the hat crown adjacent the brim and the brim portion. When the pouncing tool, on its return travel, reaches the point A on hat I6 (Figure 1 high spot H3a (Figure 2) of cam 'H3 bears against follower H4, resulting in clockwise movement of hell crank II 6 (Figure 1) and upward movement of rod H9. Upward movement of .rod H9 swings arm I 2I and accordingly depressor I25 clockwise, as viewed in Figure 7, thus removing the depressor from the hat brim to the dotted line position.

It will now appear that as the pouncing tool traverses the hat, it reaches a point adjacent the brim of the hat at which depressor I 25 is automatically caused to depress the brim, thus enabling continued traversal of the pouncing tool over the brim and back again without rumpling, creasing or otherwise damaging the brim. Accordingly, the finish imparted to the brim is the same as that imparted to the crown, and this without damage to either.

Motor 59 (Figure 1) drives sandpaper belt 61 in such a manner that the belt is moving in the same direction as the hat block during th engagement of the belt with the side crown and the brim of the hat. The belt, however, has a substantially greater velocity than the hat block or hat, and this differential in velocity is utilized during the travel of the pouncing tool over the brim to impart a feed or movement of the brim relative to the hat block by reason of the brims greater diameters, Thus th more rapidly moving belt 6 as it travels over the brim, pull the brim along with it; in effect causing the brim to move faster than, the adjacent surface ofthe hat block so that the brim is notrumpled,creased or out as it is pounced.

It should also be noted that as the pouncing belt -61 moves from the side crown of the hat onto the brim, it simultaneously pounces a portion of the side crown and a'portion of the brim, thus imparting a finish to the angle between the brim and side crown of the hat, a portion of the hat heretofore difficult or impossible to pounce subsequent to blocking, or at least partial block-' ing of the hat. Thus, it will appear that pouncing tool 299 has two functions, the first of which is to impart a feed rate to the brim so as to maintain the brim fiat against the hat block as the pouncing tool passes over the brim, and second to pounce the crown and brim of the hat in one continuous operation so that each has imparted thereto the sam finish as the other.

Inasmuch as operation-of sandpaper belt 61 (Figure 1) is unnecessary when the belt is out of engagement with the hat during the movement of the pouncing tool assembly 21 between the positions shown in Figures 2 and 3, I have provided mechanism for automatically deenergizing motor 59 which drives sandpaper belt 61. equally unnecessary to continue rotation of hat block I5 during this period of travel of the pouncing tool assembly, and this mechanism is also directed to stopping operation of the hat block.

In the circuit of motor 59 (Figure 1) is a switch I26, operation of which energizes or deener gizes the motor circuit. Switch I26 has an operating arm I 21 extending therefrom, and this arm is connected in any suitable manner to a rod I28 reciprocably mounted on the side of column Ill. The lower end of rod I28 is slidably connected to another rod I28a which, in turn, is connected to one arm of a bell crank lever I29, the other arm of which is connected to one end of a rod I39 (Figure 5), see also my Patent No. 2,137,250. The other end of rod I30 ispivotally connected to one end of a lever I3I pivotally mounted as at I32 on bracket 26, The'other end I3Ia, of lever I3I, pivotally supports an arm'I33, one end I33a of which is connected by a spring I34 to a post I35 secured to and extending from bracket 29. The other end I33b ofarm I33 has a slot I35 formed therein adapted to receive a stud I31 secured to and extending from a plate I38 connected to idler 36, and accordingly rotatable therewith. Plate 36 also has extending therefrom another stud I 39, the purpose of which will b described hereinbelow.

Idler gear 36 moves clockwise, as viewed in Figure 5, during the return traverse of the pouncing tool assembly 21 (Figure 4) and when the tool assembly is in the position shown in Figure .3, just prior to its movement away from hat crown I5, stud I31 (Figure '5) enters slot I36 so that continued clockwise movement of idler 3B pulls arm I33 to the right to cause clockwise movement of lever I3 I This movement of the lever is transmitted by wayof rod I30, bell crank [29, and rod I28a to rod I28 (Figure 1) causing rod I28 to move crown are automatically stopped when the pouncing tool is removed from the hat.

Referring back to Figure 5, it will be noted that spring I34 biases arm end I33b against studs I31 and I38, so as to assure entrance of stud I31 into slot I35. Topreclude jamming the linkage comprising arm I33, lever I 3|, rod I 30 and rod I28 (rod I28 having a relatively short travel) and also to permit the linkage to return to its starting position, it is desirable to disengage It is maintaining said depressor in a normally inoparm I33 from stud, I3! after switch I 26 (Figure 1) has been opened. It is to accomplish this that stud I39 (Figure 5) is provided. During the clockwise movement of idler 36, stud I39 also swings clockwise until it engages arm I33 to the left of slot I36. Continued clockwise movement of the idler and stud, I39 accordingly forces arm I33 counterclockwise against the bias of spring I34,. forcing the arm away from slot I31 so that continued clockwise movement of stud I31 will not jam the linkage system to rod I28, and will permit its return to its starting position.

It may now be seen that I have provided a pouncing machine which attains in a thoroughly practical and eificient manner the several objects set forth hereinabove.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the mechanical features of the above invention and as the art herein described mightv be varied in various parts, all without departing from the scope of the invention, it is to be understood that all matter hereinabove set forth, or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. A machine of the character described, in combination, a base, a hat support rotatably mounted on said base, a tool support, a tool operatively mounted on said tool support, means operatively connecting said tool support and said base for relative movement therebetween along a path extending substantially from the tip of a hat mounted on the hat support to the outer edge of the brim of the hat, a brim depressor pivotally associated with one of said supports, means for erative position spaced from the hat, and means for pivoting said brim depressor from said inoperative position into operative engagement with said hat brim as said tool passes thereover.

2. A machine of the character described, in combination, a base, a hat support rotatably mounted on said base, a tool support, a tool operatively mounted on said tool support, means operatively connecting said tool support and said base for'relative movement therebetween along a path extending substantially from the tip of a hat mounted on the hat support to the outer edge of the brim of the hat, a brim depressor pivotally associated with one of said supports and movable into and out of engagement with said hat, means for maintaining said depressor in a normally inoperative position spaced from the hat, and means for biasing said depressor from said inoperative position into its brim engaging position as said tool passes over the brim, I

3. A machine of the character described, in

combination, a base, a hat support rotatably mounted on said base, a tool support, a tool operatively mounted on said tool support, means operatively connecting said tool support and said base for relative movement therebetween along a path extending substantially from the tip of a hat mounted on the hat support to the outer edge of the brim of the hat, a brim depressor pivotally associated with one of said supports and movable into and out of engagement with said brim, means for maintaining said depressor-in a normally inoperative position spaced from the hat, means for biasing said depressor fromj said inoperative position into its brim engaging position as said tool passes over the brim, and means for moving said brim depressor out of engageof said tool on said brim,

4. A machine of the character described, in combination, a base, a hat support rotatably mounted on said base, a tool support, a tool operatively mounted on said tool support, means for pivotally connecting said tool support to said base to permit relative movement between said tool and said hat support along a path extending substantially from the tip of a hat mounted on said hat support to the outer edge of the brim of the hat, means for effecting said relative movement, a brim depressor pivotally associated with one of said supports and movable into and out of engagement with said brim, means for maintaining said depressor in a normally inoperative position spaced from the hat, and means including a cam associated with one of said supports for effecting movement of said depressor from said inoperative position to its brim depressing position as said tool passes over the brim.

5. A machine of the character described, in combination, a base, a hat support rotatably mounted on said base, a tool support, a tool operatively mounted on said tool support, means for pivotally connecting said tool support to said base to permit relative movement between said tool and said hat support along a path extending substantially from the tip of a hat mounted on said hat support to the outer edge of the brim of the hat, means foreifecting said relative movement, a brim depressor pivotally' associated with one of said supports and movable from a normally inoperative position spaced from the hat into and out of engagement with said brim, a

cam connected to said tool support, and follower mechanism operatively associated with said cam and said depressor for effecting movement of" said depressor between its brim engaging and disengaging positions in accordance with the position of said tool with respect to said brim.

6. A machine of the character described, in combination, abase, a hat support rotatably mounted on said base, a tool support, a tool operatively mounted on said tool support, means for pivotally connecting said tool support to said base to permit relative movement between said tool and said hat support along a path extending substantially from the tip of a hat mounted on said hat support to the outer edge of" the brim of the hat, means for effecting saidrelative movement, a brim depressor pivotally associated with one of said supports and movable into and out of engagement with said brim, a cam associated with said tool support, and a follower mechanism operatively connecting said cam and said depressor for effecting movement of said depressor into its brim engaging position immediately prior to the engagement of said tool with that portion of the hat underlying said depressor.

7. A machine of the character described, in combination, a base, a hat support rotatably mounted on said base and adapted to support a blocked hat, a pouncing tool operatively associated with said base and movable relative thereto along a path extending substantially from the tip ofsaid hat to the outer edge of the brim thereof, a member pivotally associated with said hat support adjacent the brim of said hat and normally out of engagement therewith, and means for pivoting said member into engagement with said hat to depress said brim only during the engagement of said tool with said brim and a portion of the crown of thehat.

8. A machine of the character described, in combination, a column com-prisingabase and a head secured thereto, ahat support rotatablymountedon said head, a tool support pivotally connected to said base, a tool mounted on saidtool support, means on said column for effecting. relative movement between said tool and said hat support along a path extending substantially from the tip of a hat, a shaft mounted on said head, a plate-like brim depressor member pivotally mounted on said shaft, and spring means associated with said shaft and said depressor member for forcing said depressor member against the brim of a hat mounted on said hat support to force said brim against said hat support in a po-v sition to be engaged by said tool.

9. A machine of the character described, in combination, a column comprising a base and a head secured thereto, a hat. support rotatablyrelative movement between said tool and said hat,

support along a path extending substantially from the tip of a hat, a shaft mounted on said head, a

pla k m dep ssor m m er p v ta l mounted on said shaft, spring means associated with said shaft and said depressor member for forcing said depressor member against the brim of a hat mounted on said hat support to force said brim against said hat support in a position to be engaged by said tool, and means for forcing said depressor member out of engagement with saidbrim.

1 0. A machine of the character described, in

combination, a rotatable hat support adapted tov same direction, whereby when said belt engages;

said brim the brim is moved relative to said hat support and in the same direction.

11 A machine of the character described, in

combination, a rotatable hat support adapted to,

move said hat brim relative to said hat support.

but inv the same direction during its. engagement therewith.

12. A machine of the character described, in combination, a rotatable hat support adapted to support and rotate a hat, a pouncing tool, means mounting said pouncing; tool for movement relative to said hat along a path extending substantially from the tip of the hat toward the brim thereof, a hydraulic device including a reciproa e p t n. ans orm n onnec on b tween said piston andsaid; pouncing tool; for, forcing saidtoolagainstsaid hat upon movement of said piston in one direction, and means responsive to the relative movement between saidtool and said hatfor controlling the movement;

of said piston to vary the pressure between said tool and said hat.

13, A machine of' the character described, in

combination, a. rotatable hat. support adapted to support and rotate a hat, a pouncingtooLmeans mounting said pouncing tool'for movement relative to said hat along a path extending substantially from the tip of the hat toward the brim thereof, a hydraulic device including a reciprocable piston, a hydraulic device including a cylinder and piston and a regulating valve for varying the fluid pressure in said cylinder, means connected to said piston and to said tool for transmitting the pressure exerted by said hydraulic device to said tool to force said tool against said hat, and means operatively associated with said tool and said valve and responsive to movement of said tool for varying the pressure Within said cylinder thereby to vary the pressure of said tool against said hat.

14. A machine of the character described, in combination, a base, a hat support rotatably mounted on said base and adapted to support and rotate a hat, means for rotating said hat support, an arm pivotally secured to said base and pivotable about a stationary vertical axis, a second arm pivotally connected to said first arm and pivotable about a vertical axis, a pouncing tool pivotally mounted on said second arm and pivotable about a vertical axis, all of said axes being at all times parallel, means for traversing said tool over the surface of said hat, means for forcing said tool against said hat during its traversing movement, and means associated with said arms and operable upon relative movement therebetween for effecting movement of said tool away from said hat subsequent to its traversing movement thereover.

15. A machine of the character described, in combination, a base, a hat support rotatably mounted on said base and adapted to support and rotate a hat, means for rotating said hat support, means forming a toggle joint, means for pivotally connecting one end of said toggle joint to said base, a pouncing tool pivotally mounted on the other end of said toggle joint, means for traversing said tool over the surface of said hat, means for forcing said tool against said hat during its traversing movement thereover, said last-mentioned means including a hydraulic mechanism, and means for varying the pressure in said hydraulic mechanism for varying the force with which the tool bears against the hat during its traversal thereover.

16. A machine of the character described, in combination, a base, a hat support rotatably mounted on said base and adapted to support and rotate a hat, means for rotating said hat support, means forming a toggle joint, means for pivotally connecting one end of said toggle joint to said base, a pouncing tool pivotally mounted on the other end of said toggle joint, means for traversing said tool over the surface of said hat along a path substantially from the tip thereof toward the brim, and gear means associated with said toggle joint for effecting movement of said tool away from said hat subsequent to its traversal thereover.

17. The herein described art which includes the steps of rotating a partially blocked hat, engaging said hat with a pouncing tool, moving said tool over the surface of said rotating hat along a path starting at the tip of the hat and extending therefrom toward the brim of the hat, depressing the brim of the hat as the tool moves over the side crown portion of the hat, continuing the movement of the tool over the brim of the hat to the outer edge thereof, and moving the brim of the hat during its engagement with the tool at a greater rate than therate of movement of the side crown of the hat.

18. A- pouncing machine for pouncing a partially blocked hat, in combination, a base, a hat support rotatably mounted on said base, said hat support comprising a hat block rounded tofit the inside of a hat on which a partially blocked hat is adapted to be mounted and held thereon by frictional engagement therewith so that the crown of the hat is firmly supported by the block and the brim of the hat extends outwardlyrof and is entirely unsupported by the'block, a tool support, a tool operatively mounted on said tool support, means operatively connecting said tool support and said base for relative movement therebetween along a path extending substantially from the tip of a hat mounted on said hat support to the outer edge of the brim of the hat, and means for depressing the hat brim as the tool passes thereover so as to force the outwardly extending brim to a position on or adjacent to i the surface of the hat block to facilitate movepasses thereover, said brim engaging means and said tool being immediately adjacent one another during the passage of the tool over the brim.

2.0. The herein described art which includes the steps of, mounting a partially blocked hat on a rotating hat block with the brim extending outwardly therefrom and unsupported thereby, engaging said hat with a pouncing tool, moving said tool over the surface of said hat along a path extending between the tip of the hat and the brim edge thereof, and flattening that portion only of the brim of the hat engaged by the tool as the tool moves thereover.

21. The herein described art which includes the steps of, mounting a partially blocked hat on a rotating hat block with the brim extending outwardly therefrom and entirely unsupported thereby, engaging said hat with a pouncing tool, moving said tool over the surface of said hat alon a path extending between the tip of the hat and the brim edge thereof, forcing the brim of the hat against the block during the movement of the tool over the sid crown portion of the hat, and con tinuing the movement of the tool over the brim of the hat to the outer edge thereof while maintaining the brim in engagement with the block.

22. A machine of the character described, in combination, a rotatable hat support adapted to support and rotate a hat having a brim extending from the crown thereof, means for rotating said support, means for pouncing the surface of said hat and for imparting a feed rate to said brim in excess of its normal rate of movement during the pouncing operation, and means for depressing the brim of said hat to engage it with said hat support during the pouncing operation.

23. A machine of the character described, in combination, a rotatable hat support adapted to support and rotate a hat, a tool support, a pouncing tool on said support, means mounting said mounting said pounding toolfor movement rela-. tive to said hat. along a path extending, substantially from the tip. of the hat toward the brim thereof, a hydraulic device including a reciproca-. ble piston, means forming a connection between said. piston and said pouncing tool forforcing said tool against, said. hat upon movement of said piston in one direction, a valve for controlling the fluid flow to said hydraulic; device, and means 10 including a cam associated with said pouncing tool for operating said: valve.

PAUL SCHULTZE. 

